Part 83 (1/2)

”We shall see,” said Mr Brooke quietly.

He rose and walked down to the two sentinels.

”Keep a sharp look-out, my lads, for any junks which come down the river, as well as for any movements on board those two at anchor. I shall send and relieve you when two men have had their dinner.”

”Thankye, sir,” was the reply; and we walked back, followed by Ching.

”That last seems a very likely plan, Herrick,” said Mr Brooke. ”The scoundrels play into each other's hands; and I daresay, if the truth was known, some of these merchants sell cargoes to traders, and then give notice to the pirates, who plunder the vessels and then sell the stuff again to the merchants at a cheap rate. But there, we must eat, my lad, and our breakfast was very late and very light. We will make a good meal, and then see what the darkness brings forth.”

We found the men carefully attending to the fire, which was now one bright glow of embers; and very soon Ching announced that dinner was cooked, proceeding directly after to hook out the hard ma.s.ses of clay, which he rolled over to get rid of the powdery ash, and, after letting them cool a little, he duly cracked them, and a gush of deliciously-scented steam saluted our nostrils.

But I have so much to tell that I will not dwell upon our banquet. Let it suffice that I say every one was more than satisfied; and when the meal was over, Ching set to work again coating the rest of our game with clay, and placed them in the embers to cook.

”Velly good, velly nicee to-day,” he said; ”but sun velly hot, night velly hot, big fly come to-mollow, goose not loast, begin to 'mell velly nasty.”

As darkness fell, the fire was smothered out with sand, there being plenty of heat to finish the cookery; and then, just when I least expected it, Mr Brooke gave the order for the men to go to the boat.

He counter-ordered the men directly, and turned to me.

”These are pretty contemptible things to worry about, Herrick,” he said, ”but unless we are well provisioned the men cannot fight. We must wait and take that food with us.”

Ching was communicated with, and declared the birds done. This announcement was followed by rolling them out, and, after they had cooled a bit, goose and duck were borne down to the boat in their clay sh.e.l.ls, and stowed aft, ready for use when wanted.

Ten minutes later we were gliding once more through the darkness outward in the direction of the two junks, while my heart beat high in antic.i.p.ation of my having to play a part in a very rash and dangerous proceeding--at least it seemed to be so to me.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

INFORMATION.

It was too dark to make out the junks, but their direction had been well marked, and Mr Brooke took his measures very carefully.

”Perfect silence, my lads,” he said. ”Perhaps the lives of all here depend upon it. Now, the sail half up; Jecks, hold the sheet; the others sit in the bottom of the boat. Every man to have his arms ready for instant use.”

There was a quick movement, a faint rattle, and then all still.

”Good; very prompt, my lads. Mr Herrick, come and take the tiller, and be ready to obey the slightest whispered command.”

I hurriedly seated myself by him in the darkness, and waited while our leader now turned to the last man to receive his orders.

”You, Ching,” he said, ”will go right forward to keep a good look-out, ready to give a whispered warning of our approach to the junks. Do you know what a whispered warning means?”

”Yes; Ching say see junk so lit' voice you can't hear him.”

The men t.i.ttered.

”Silence! Yes, you understand. Now go, and be careful. But mind this, if our boat is seen and the pirates hail, you answer them in their own tongue; do you understand?”

”Yes; 'peakee Chinee all along.”